An early season humdinger in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South as Bracknell Town welcome Hungerford Town to Bottom Meadow (7:45pm).
The Robins and the Crusaders have met competitively in past seasons – most recently in the 2019/20 Berks & Bucks County FA Cup with Hungerford running out 2-1 winners. In league action the two clubs crossed paths in the 2009/10 Southern League Division One South & West season with the West Berkshire side beginning their climb through the leagues while Bracknell dropped to Step 5.
Much has changed since then though. At the end of the 22/23 season Hungerford’s seven year spell at Step 2 came to an end while Bracknell narrowly missed out on replacing them – losing the Step 3 Play Off Final to Truro City.
What now then? Well both sides have won one and lost one of their opening fixtures. In a recent Berkshire Football Stories podcast Crusaders boss Danny Robinson said ‘whoever finishes above Chesham United this season is a very good side’.
Bracknell put in an impressive display beating Didcot Town 5-1 at home while Hungerford were beaten by the aforementioned Chesham 2-1.
Both sides have undergone a rebuild over the summer but Hungerford will likely be without former Robin Sean Moore due to suspension while they also had Matt Berry-Hargreaves dismissed in injury time on Saturday.
Listen to the full Berkshire Football Stories Podcast with Danny Robinson below, or watch it on YouTube here
Meanwhile, it’ll be deja vu for Holyport who are replaying their FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie with Hartpury University.
The Port won the original tie 2-1 but after the referee incorrectly used Sin Bins in the fixture the match was declared null and void and ordered to be replayed by the FA.
Port then saw their opening Combined Counties League Premier Division North fixture postponed before kick off due to a kit clash.
So not the ideal start to a season but Sam Lock’s side will no doubt be eager to get get off and running.
A full list of all Tuesday night’s fixtures is here. Check back at full time for all the scores.
